Microwave antenna switch



Aug. 16, 1960 D. L. HOLZSCHUH ET AL MICROWAVE ANTENNA SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 15, 1958 INVENTORS H Y 2 M a w 5 m4 0 0 pw Aug. 16; 1960 D. HOLZSCHUH ETAL MICROWAVE ANTENNA SWITCH Filed Oct. 15, 1958 Cami-KISSED Damn: 1 Hal Pa war SUP/'2 r 2 Sheets$heet 2 FIEE INVENTORS ZJCHUH A r raklvsr United States Patent ice MICROWAVE ANTENNA SWITCH Donald L. Holzschuh and John W. Smith, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, assignors to Collins Radio Company, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a corporation of Iowa Filed Oct. 15, 1958, Ser. No. 767,304

1 Claim. (Cl. 333-7) This invention relates in general to a switching mechanism, and in particular to apparatus for rapidly switching a first coaxial conductor between one of a pair of conductors.

It is often desirable to switch an antenna from a transmitter to a receiver as alternate use of the antenna is made for reception and transmission.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a simple and positive switch capable of connecting a first circuit to one of a pair of circuits.

A feature of the invention is found in the provision for a coaxial switch with a movable plunger which electrically connects a first circuit to one of a pair of circuits.

Further features, objects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claim when read in view of the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a cutaway drawing showing the switch in a first position, and

Figure 2 is a cutaway drawing showing the switch in a second position.

With reference to Figure l, a first coaxial section comprises an outer hollow cylindrical conducting portion 10 which is formed with a flange 11 that has suitable openings 12 for connecting it to another coaxial cable section not shown. Mounted within portion 10 is a center conductor 13 which is supported by insulating disc 14 from the inner wall of the outer conductor 10. Inner conductor 13 has an inner extension 14 which is formed with an opening 16.

A structural insulating pin 17 extends through the outer conductor 10 and the portion 14 so as to maintain tllile inner conductor in a predetermined spatial relations 1p.

A second outer conductor 18 conductor 10. The inner end of portion 14 extends within the confines of the outer conductor 18. One end 19 of outer conductor 18 terminates in a flange 21 which may be connected to a suitable connecting waveguide portion. An inner conductor 22 is mounted within the outer conductor 18 by means of an insulating disc 23. Conductor 22 is hollo'w and terminates a short distance from the portion 14. The opening 16 formed through the portion 14 is in alignment with the opening through the inner conductor 22. The other end 24 of the outer conductor 18 has a flange 26 which joins to a flange 27 by suitable holding means, as for example, bolts 28. A hollow center conductor 29 is supported within conducto'rs 31 and 18 by means of insulating discs 32 and 33. The end 34 of inner conductor 29 is formed with an opening of the same size and in alignment with the opening 16.

An outer conductor 36 forms a T-joint with the conductor 31 and has an inner conductor 37 which is electrically connected to the inner conductor 29. A flange 38 on the outer end of conductor 36 is provided for making a suitable joint with another coaxial conductor,

forms a T with the outer not shown. Insulating spring washers 39 and 41 support the inner conductor 37 within the confines of the outer conductor 36. An extension 42 is formed on the outer conductor 31 and terminates in an end plate 43 upon which a hydraulic valve 44 is mounted. Valve 44 has a cylinder 46 and a piston 47. A spring 48 is mounted between the outer end of the cylinder 46 and piston 47 to urge the piston to the right relative to Figure l. Piston 47 is connected to a shaft 49 of insulating material which extends within the confines of conductor 31 and through an opening 51 in the center conductor 29 and on through the center conductor 29 and the Opening 16 of the center conductor 22.

An electrical contact member 52 is mounted on the insulating shaft 49. It is generally cylindrical in shape and is formed with a pair of grooves 53 and 54 in which are mounted coiled wires of conducting material 56 and 57. The coiled wires of conductive material 56 and 57 extend beyond the confines of the body portion 52 and are adapted to make good electrical contact with the inner diameters of conductor 34, opening 16, and conductor 22. The body portion '52 of the switching memher is made of conducting material and coiled wire 56 and 57 is in good electrical contact therewith.

A fluid line 58 is connected to the cylinder 46 on the right side of the piston 47 relative to Figure 1. The line 58 is connected to a valve 59 which is connected by a line 61 to a tank of compressed air 62. A switch S connects power supply 63 to a solenoid 64 which has a mechanical linkage 66 to the valve 59.

In operation, when the switch S is closed, the solenoid 64 will be energized by the power supply 63 and the mechanical linkage 66 will open the valve '59 so that the compressed air from the tank 62 will be passed through the line 61 to the cylinder 46. This will cause the piston 47 to move to the left relative to Figures 1 and 2, thus drawing the shaft 49 to the left relative to Figures 1 and 2 and causing the switch member 52 to move from the position shown in Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure 2.

It is to be noted that the switch member 52 moves from a first position where coil 56 is in engagement with the member 14 to a second position where it is in engagement with the inner conductor 29. At the same time the coil 57 moves from engagement with conductor 22 to engagement with member 14 as shown in Figure 2.

When the switch S is opened the valve 59 will close. Pressure within the cylinder 46 is then released so as to allow the spring 48 to move the piston 47 to the right to the position shown in Figure 1. This moves the shorting member 52 to the position shown in Figure 1. Thus the coaxial conductor comprising members 10 and 13 is alternately switched to outer and inner conductors 18 and 22 and outer and inner conductors 18 and 29.

It is seen that this invention provides a positive means of switching between a first and second coaxial conductor in a fashion such that positive electrical contact is insured.

Although the inventio'n has been described with respect to a particular embodiment thereof, it is not to be so limited, as changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of the invention as defined by the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A coaxial waveguide switch comprising first, second, and third coaxial waveguides having inner and outer conductors, the inner conductors of the first and second coaxial waveguides in axial alignment with each other and terminating adjacent each other, the inner conductor of the third coaxial Waveguide formed with a central opening which is in alignment with the first and second inner conductors and spaced therebetween and transverse with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the third Patented Aug. 16, 1960,

coaxial waveguide, an electrical contact member engageable with the third inner conductor and movable within the opening formed therein from a first position electrically connecting the third inner conductor and the first inner conductor to a second position electrically connecting the third inner conductor and the second inner conductor, the first inner conductor formed with a longitudinal opening, the second inner conductor formed with a longitudinal opening, said second coaxial Waveguide having a first portion in axial alignment with the first inner conductor and a second portion out of alignment with the first inner conductor, an opening formed in the second Waveguide at the junction between the first and second portions and the central opening of the third coaxial waveguide in alignment with the longitudinal 15 2,326,745

opening in the second inner conductor, an insulating shaft connected to the electrical contact member and extending through the longitudinal opening in the first inner conductor, the opening at the junction of the first and second portions of the second inner conductor, and the longitudinal opening in the second inner conductor, a piston attached to said insulating shaft, said piston mounted in a cylinder, and actuating means connected to said cylinder to move the piston.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,667,619 Raymond Jan. 26, 1954 2,779,005 Tanner Jan. 22, 1957 Lanc'tot Mar. 11, 1958 

